Apply for a private hire plate exemption

Information about private hire plate exemptions and how to apply.

In order to be considered for plate exemption, the work you carry out must be exclusively or primarily chauffeured private hire work. This means that you provide the chauffeur and vehicle to a business or person, and the display of a licence plate may affect the security of the person you are carrying.

What you need to apply

To apply for plate exemption, you will need:

  • a letter from you explaining why you should be exempt
  • letters from clients showing the vehicle is required for chauffeured work and why the display of a plate would be a risk to the client
  • three months of booking records for all operators the driver works for, showing that the vehicle is used for chauffeured work 
  • invoices for each named client who has given a letter in support of your application 

It is expected that 80% of the booking records supplied should be for the named clients who have supplied letters.

Apply

Complete the below online form to apply for a plate exmption

Apply for a private hire plate exemption

Booking records

The booking records should show:

  • date and time and location of pick-up
  • name of passenger
  • contact details of passenger
  • the destination
  • time the booking was made
  • time the booking was given to the driver
  • plate number and badge number of the vehicle and driver attending the booking
  • price for the booking
  • time the booking was completed

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure the records you supply are clear and include all of the above information. Failure to do so will result in your application being delayed or refused.

Please note that if your request is granted, you are required to carry the vehicle plate and letter of exemption in the vehicle at all times. The internal plate must be displayed in the windscreen on the passenger side at all times.